Runs may be hard to come by in this one as Ivan Nova (4-3, 3.10 ERA) and the New York Yankees (61-47) meet David Price (10-4, 2.45 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (59-52) in the second of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. The Blue Jays won the last game 2-1, extending a six-game winning streak. The game starts at 1:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 8 and will air on YES and RSN.
In his last start, Nova pitched 6.0 innings, giving up one run, striking out seven and walking two in a 12-3 victory over the White Sox. Mark Teixeira (.268, 55 Rs, 30 HRs, 77 RBIs, 2 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Blue Jays were also victorious the last time Price pitched. He had a good outing, pitching 8.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out 11 and walking two in a 5-1 victory over the Twins. Jose Bautista (.237, 70 Rs, 25 HRs, 77 RBIs, 5 SBs) has been doing well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, one RBI, and one stolen base.
New York, a +120 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Toronto. The teams combine to set the Over/Under (O/U) at eight runs. When playing as the underdog, the Yankees have a 23-22 record and overall money line at +339. They are 5-5 SU and perfect as the underdog (1-0) in their last 10 games. The Yankees come into the game with the AL’s second-ranked home scoring offense, averaging 5.4 runs per game in their own ballpark. The Yankees are a stellar hitting team with 9.3 hits per home game, one of the highest marks in the AL.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Blue Jays come into this game with a solid win percentage of .636 when playing as the favorite (42-24) and an overall money line of +16. They have played at the top of their game when rated as favorite recently. They managed an 8-1 record when playing as the favorite and an SU record of 9-1. The Blue Jays are the number one overall scoring offense in the AL, averaging 5.3 runs per game so far.
The Blue Jays have gotten the best of the Yankees in head-to-head matchups this season, going 5-2. The Yankees will take on a left-hander (Price) in this game. They have done very well against left-handed starting pitchers this season (21-12), especially at home where they have a 9-5 record. The right-handed Nova will take the mound against the Blue Jays, who have a 44-41 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor, O/U – Over
Notes
The Blue Jays won their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Yankees are 17-16. The Blue Jays are 12-23 in close games this season.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Yankees are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Blue Jays have a 17-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 9-41. The Yankees have an 11-35 record when opponents outhit them.
New York and Toronto both rank in the top five of the league in home runs. New York sits at third with 147 home runs this season and Toronto ranks second with 149.
New York and Toronto both rank in the top five of the league in hits. New York sits at third with 8.93 hits per game and Toronto ranks fourth with 8.91.
Ranking first in on-base plus slugging percentage, Toronto has an OPS of .782 this season. New York ranks third with an OPS of .767.
The Blue Jays are 34-37 when they allow at least one home run. The Yankees perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 31-37 record.
